Sometimes eggs are decorated, used as decorations, and hunted at Easter. Here are some safety tips.
- Dyeing eggs: After hard cooking eggs, dye them and refrigerate within 2 hours. Use a food-safe coloring.
- Blowing out eggshells: Use caution when blowing out the contents to hollow out the shell for decorating. Use eggs that have been kept refrigerated and are uncracked. To destroy bacteria that may be present on the surface of the egg, wash the egg in hot water and then rinse in a solution of 1 teaspoon liquid chlorine bleach per half cup of water. After blowing out the egg, refrigerate the contents and use within 2 to 4 days.
- Hunting Eggs: If hard cooked eggs have been lying on the ground, they can pick up bacteria, especially if the shells are cracked. If the shells crack, bacteria could contaminate the inside. The total time for hiding and hunting eggs should not exceed 2 hours. Refrigerate and use “found” eggs within 7 days of cooking.
Learn more at USDA Shell Eggs from Farm to Table
Photo: USDA Flickr
